City of Atlanta Tax Assessor: How Property Assessment Works in Atlanta, GA

If you own a home, business, or land in Atlanta, Georgia, your property taxes are directly tied to how your property is valued by local tax assessors. Understanding who does what, where to go, and how to read your assessment can help you avoid surprises and respond quickly if something looks off.

Because Atlanta spans multiple counties (mainly Fulton County and a portion of DeKalb County), there is no single “City of Atlanta Tax Assessor” office. Instead, property within city limits is assessed by the county tax assessor where the property is located.

This guide walks you through how that works in Atlanta and what you need to know as a homeowner, investor, or future buyer.

Who Assesses Property in the City of Atlanta?

Within the Atlanta city limits, your property will be handled by one of two main offices:

Fulton County Property Owners (Most of Atlanta)

If your Atlanta address is in Fulton County, your property is assessed by the:

Fulton County Board of Assessors
141 Pryor Street SW, Suite 1047
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main Phone: often publicly listed as a central customer service number for Fulton County government

Fulton County covers Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Southwest Atlanta, Northwest Atlanta, and much of the city’s neighborhoods.

DeKalb County Property Owners (East Atlanta Areas)

If your Atlanta property is on the east side and falls in DeKalb County, it’s assessed by the:

DeKalb County Property Appraisal Department
1300 Commerce Drive
Decatur, GA 30030
Main Phone: typically published as DeKalb County’s central line or department-specific number

This includes some portions of East Atlanta, Edgewood, Kirkwood, and nearby neighborhoods that are inside the City of Atlanta but located in DeKalb County.

City vs. County: Who Does What?

It helps to separate roles:

• County Tax Assessor / Board of Assessors

  • Determines your property’s value (fair market value)
  • Classifies the use (residential, commercial, etc.)
  • Sends annual assessment notices
  • Handles assessment appeals

• County Tax Commissioner

  • Calculates the actual tax bill by applying tax rates (millage)
  • Collects property tax payments
  • Manages delinquent taxes and tax liens

• City of Atlanta

  • Adopts its own millage rate (tax rate portion) that’s applied to your county-assessed value
  • Uses property tax revenue to fund city services like police, fire, parks, and city operations

So, when you think “City of Atlanta Tax Assessor,” you’re really working with your county assessor, but the City of Atlanta is one of the taxing authorities that appear on your bill.

How Property Tax Assessment Works in Atlanta

1. Determining Fair Market Value

Each county’s Board of Assessors estimates the fair market value of your property — essentially what it would sell for in a normal, arms-length sale.

They may consider:

• Recent sales of similar homes in your neighborhood
• Square footage, lot size, and building features
• Age and condition of the property
• Renovations or additions (finished basement, extra bathroom, etc.)
• Land use (residential, commercial, industrial, vacant)

You’ll often see two key numbers on your notice:

• Fair Market Value – full estimated market value
• Assessed Value – in Georgia, usually 40% of fair market value for most property types

For example, if your home’s fair market value is $400,000, the assessed value might be $160,000.

2. City, County, and School Millage Rates

Once your assessed value is set, various taxing bodies apply their millage rates, such as:

• City of Atlanta
• Fulton or DeKalb County
• Local school district (Atlanta Public Schools or other district, depending on location)
• Other special districts or authorities if applicable

Tax is generally calculated as:

Key Documents You’ll See as an Atlanta Property Owner

Annual Assessment Notice

Each year (typically in the spring or early summer), you’ll receive a Notice of Assessment from your county. It lists:

• Property address and parcel ID
• Prior and current fair market value
• Assessed value (usually 40% of fair market value)
• Instructions and deadline for filing an appeal
• An estimate of what your property tax could be (not the official bill)

If you disagree with the value, this notice is your window to appeal.

Property Tax Bill

Later in the year, the Tax Commissioner (Fulton or DeKalb) sends the actual tax bill, showing:

• Final taxable value after exemptions
• Individual line items for City of Atlanta, county, and school taxes
• Payment due dates
• Any credits, penalties, or interest (if applicable)

Homestead Exemptions in Atlanta

If you own and live in your home as your primary residence, you may be eligible for a homestead exemption, which reduces your taxable value and lowers your bill.

Common features of homestead exemptions in the Atlanta area include:

• Available only on your primary residence (not rentals or second homes)
• Must typically apply by a specific deadline in the year (often early spring)
• Once approved, exemptions generally carry forward each year as long as you still qualify

Types of exemptions may include:

• Basic homestead exemption (for owner-occupants)
• Additional exemptions for seniors, people with certain disabilities, or surviving spouses (eligibility and amounts vary by county and city)

Even though you live in the City of Atlanta, you apply for exemptions with your county (Fulton or DeKalb). The exemption will usually apply to both county and city taxes if you qualify under their rules.

How to Look Up Your Atlanta Property Assessment

Both Fulton and DeKalb typically offer online property search tools where you can:

• Search by address, owner name, or parcel ID
• View the current and prior assessed values
• See property details (square footage, year built, land size, etc.)
• Verify exemptions that are currently applied

If you’re:

• Buying in Atlanta – you can look up the current owner’s tax record to estimate future taxes (but be aware values and exemptions can change when a property sells).
• Reviewing your own property – confirm that your details and exemptions are correct and watch for large value jumps.

Appealing Your Property Assessment in Atlanta

If you believe your county has overestimated your property’s fair market value, you have the right to file an appeal.

Typical Reasons Atlanta Owners Appeal

• The appraised value is significantly higher than recent sales of comparable homes nearby.
• The county’s record overstates your home’s square footage or features.
• Your home is in worse condition than what the county’s records suggest.
• There are location factors (busy road, nearby commercial activity, environmental issues) not fully reflected in the value.

Basic Steps to Appeal

While the process is set by Georgia law and may vary slightly between counties, it generally includes:

1. Note your deadline

   • The appeal deadline is usually 30–45 days from the mailing date of your assessment notice. Missing this deadline can mean waiting until the next year.

2. File the appeal with your county assessor

   • You can typically file:
     • Online through the county’s assessment portal
     • By mail using the official appeal form
     • In person at the county’s assessment office
   • You’ll need to choose or indicate a method of appeal (for example, Board of Equalization, hearing officer in certain cases, or arbitration).

3. Provide supporting information
   Helpful materials can include:

   • Recent sales data for similar homes in your neighborhood
   • A recent appraisal
   • Photos or descriptions of needed repairs or structural issues
   • Documentation showing incorrect square footage or features in the county’s records

4. Attend hearings or respond to offers

   • The county may:
     • Propose a revised value (settlement)
     • Schedule a hearing with a Board of Equalization
   • You may need to appear (or have a representative appear) to present your case and answer questions.

5. Understand the possible outcomes

   • The value could go down, stay the same, or in some cases be adjusted in other ways.
   • Decisions may be appealable further to higher levels (such as superior court), but that becomes more complex and may involve legal representation.

Common Atlanta Property Tax Questions

How Do I Know Which County Assessor to Contact?

Check:

• Your property tax bill (it will say Fulton County or DeKalb County).
• Your property record through online search tools.
• Your mailing from the Board of Assessors clearly shows the county.

If your property is inside the City of Atlanta but your bill says DeKalb County, you work with DeKalb, not Fulton.

Does the City of Atlanta Set My Property’s Value?

No. The County Board of Assessors sets the value.
The City of Atlanta:

• Adopts a millage rate that influences your tax amount, not your market value.
• Can participate in exemptions or special programs, but does not directly appraise your property.

Why Did My Taxes Increase If My Value Didn’t Change Much?

Even if your assessed value stays relatively steady, taxes can rise if:

• Millage rates increase (from the city, county, or schools).
• Certain exemptions expire or are removed (for example, if a property is no longer your primary residence).
• There are reassessments in your area that shift the tax burden.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Property Owners 🏡

• Save and read your assessment notice immediately. Appeal deadlines are strict.
• Verify your property details (square footage, number of bathrooms, finished areas) on the county’s online record; errors can affect value.
• Apply for homestead exemptions as soon as you qualify, especially if you’ve just purchased a home and moved in.
• Keep records of major repairs or issues (foundation, roof, flooding, etc.) in case you need to explain why your value should be lower than comparable homes.
• If you’re uncomfortable handling an appeal yourself, you may consider consulting a local real estate professional, appraiser, or tax appeal specialist familiar with Atlanta and your specific county.

Quick Reference: City of Atlanta Property Assessment Basics

If you own or plan to own property within the City of Atlanta, your main action steps are to know which county you’re in, track your assessment notices and deadlines, and make sure you’re receiving every exemption you qualify for. From there, you can decide if your assessed value seems fair for Atlanta’s current real estate market or if an appeal makes sense.